Two new magistrates appointed for SW

The State Government has appointed two magistrates following concerns of delays to court hearings in the South West.

Attorney-General Michael Mischin yesterday announced lawyers Brian Mahon and Mark Millington had been hired to be the State's newest magistrates.

A spokeswoman for Chief Magistrate Stephen Heath confirmed Mr Mahon and Mr Millington would be based in Bunbury and cover cases in the South West.

The court has been forced to delay trials and hearings since Magistrates Elizabeth Hamilton and Kelvin Fisher retired this year.

Remaining Magistrate Dianne Scaddan criticised the tardy process for the appointments, which is handled by the State Government.

Law Society of WA president Elizabeth Needham said the appointments should "help to improve access to justice for the residents of Bunbury and the surrounding region".

"The Law Society is pleased to see the State Government taking action to ensure courts in the South West are adequately resourced," she said.

In October, high-profile lawyer Patti Chong also criticised the delay after one of her client's cases was postponed until next year because of the shortage.

"Justice delayed is justice denied," she said at the time.

Mr Mahon was a lawyer specialising in criminal and violence restraining order practice and Mr Millington was a barrister and solicitor for his firm Millington Legal. The Magistrates begin their term from Monday but will be based in Perth for training before they are posted to Bunbury. They were selected from a panel that included high-ranking members of the judiciary and Solicitor-General Grant Donaldson.